"He's class.." Sheffield Wednesday youngster loan going well - has shown 'elite-level mentality'
Joe Emery joined South Shields on loan from Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month.
The approach of Sheffield Wednesday youngster Joe Emery to his loan with a National League North side has been praised by a manager who played at Premier League level.
The 19-year-old defender was one of the Owls academy figures to be given heightened responsibility around the first team last season, making seven appearances across all competitions including three Championship outings from the bench. He joined ambitious non-league outfit South Shields in the last weeks, with Wednesday sporting director Simon Wilson making clear the importance of their younger players heading out to achieve regular men’s football.
Shields are managed by former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson, who spoke glowingly on Emery’s approach to the loan after two outings of differing experience - a 6-0 defeat on debut against Hereford came before the weekend’s 4-0 win over a Buxton side with plenty of Owls links. He played 90 minutes at centre-half on both occasions.
Speaking to our sister title The Shields Gazette, Williamson said: “Joe has got a first-class mentality, it’s an elite level mentality. You saw his first game, those traits were in him during a really difficult afternoon but he never shied away even though he was cramping. He kept going and going. You saw his quality last week, this week, and there’s just no fuss. He’s very low maintenance and anything you ask him to do, it’s just a quick yes and he gets on with it. He’s class and I am really pleased with him.”
Emery’s side beat a Buxton side that is managed by former Wednesday academy coach Jordan Broadbent, with Owls loanee Logan Stretch having played in goal. Guilherme Siqueira started at right wing-back in the clash, with another loanee, Devlan Moses, away on international duty with Northern Ireland’s under-21 side.